Tristan - funny you should post that, I have a same comparison picture between my 8.5's as well. However, I find that the non-shell Barrie LWB's fit snugger than the Shell ones. I'd say pretty drastically so, almost 1/4 (possibly more) in a difference of sizing volume. In any case, it's really too hard to say. My non-shell LWB's all fit spot on, with perfect comfort. The Marlows do feel a little tight, and the Barrie on Shell (both Color 8 and Black) are a bit loose. I could probably go with tongue pads on the shell ones...

Tristan - funny you should post that, I have a same comparison picture between my 8.5's as well. However, I find that the non-shell Barrie LWB's fit snugger than the Shell ones. I'd say pretty drastically so, almost 1/4 (possibly more) in a difference of sizing volume. In any case, it's really too hard to say. My non-shell LWB's all fit spot on, with perfect comfort. The Marlows do feel a little tight, and the Barrie on Shell (both Color 8 and Black) are a bit loose. I could probably go with tongue pads on the shell ones...

That's a good point about non-shell Barrie Aldens. I have none and am only comparing the shell Alden LWB here.

I mention that because I know other Alden Barrie shoes can fit differently, even though they are also Barrie.

The Barrie LWB in shell is the largest fitting Barrie ever.

To reiterate- The Barrie shell LWB in 8D seems about the same size as the Marlow in 8.5D both when I line them up sole to sole as well as try the fit of each.

IMO, there is no way one could go with their same Barrie size in the Marlow wingtips unless they are wearing their Barrie LWBs way large.

That's because your feet aren't everyone's feet.

People ask for opinions on how various shoes fit.
Poeple give their opinion based on their own personal experience.
Trying to size shoes via the internet and polling can only go so far. Debating it is moronic.

People ask for opinions on how various shoes fit.
Poeple give their opinion based on their own personal experience.
Trying to size shoes via the internet and polling can only go so far. Debating it is moronic.

I dunno, looking the the pic of each shoe in the same size side by side, I just can't see how they could both fit equally well physically for anyone. Something has to give.

I dunno, looking the the pic of each shoe in the same size side by side, I just can't see how they could both fit equally well physically for anyone. Something has to give.

But according to the forums, it does happen. I wear a 7.5d in trubalance, an 8 in the C&J 240 (not AS snug fit), and will probably go with a 7.5 in the marlow wt. With the double sole, id rather the shoe fit snug. Ill report back my findings when this happens.Edited by Hermitedge - 4/21/13 at 7:17pm

Hell, I went to Barneys today to try on C&J and I'm a half size smaller than I would have thought based on reading SF - I'm a US 9D and most lasts it seems I'm a UK7.5E/US8.5D...

I'm interested to know if you or others have tried on C&J's made on their 337 last. I believe it's the last used on their higher grade calfskin offerings, and the one with which I was most familiar before discovering RL Marlow shell cordovans.

Crappy iPad pic - taken with heels squared off with t-square, another t-square by toes for reference - keep in mind the Dalton's, Marlows, strands and desert boots have 360 welts which make the shoe slightly longer

My brannock size is 8.5 as measured at various retail and podiatry locations

Dalton's are 8.5 - sole length: 11 1/8"
Rancourt for prl are 8 - sole length: 11" exactly
Marlows are 7.5 (not a typo) - sole length: 11 1/8"
Indys are 8 - sole length: 11.5" and they are simply massively voluminous - alden retailer said they were the right size but I should've gone 7.5
Strands are 8.5 (no, I do not size down for 5 last) - sole length: 11 5/8" but I love the fit
Desert boots are 8 - sole length: 11.25"
Any specific requests? My Barrie lwb are at the cobbler for some work

Could the issue here be that the Marlows may (or may not) be UK sizing?

I thought in sales like this they can't give you the discount due to the computer system limitations.

this is just based on my observation, i have nothing to actually back this up but i think its the complete opposite.

if you talk to SAs on the phone, in the store they all say no cordovan on sale but then you try to order online and you get the discount. my thinking is they dont update their computer system to reflect no cordovan during these sales.

@mikeharo, thanks for the comparison. your shoe collection is awesome. my indys and my marlows are both 10.5.

I dunno, looking the the pic of each shoe in the same size side by side, I just can't see how they could both fit equally well physically for anyone. Something has to give.

But according to the forums, it does happen. I wear a 7.5d in trubalance, an 8 in the C&J 240 (not AS snug fit), and will probably go with a 7.5 in the marlow wt. With the double sole, id rather the shoe fit snug. Ill report back my findings when this happens.

If your foot is on the wide side of D you'll likely go TTS with the Marlow WT. If your foot is on the narrow side of D you'll likely go with your barrie size. I'm personally stuck in between; I went with my barrie size and it feels a smidge too snug. I had to use shoe trees that are too big in order to stretch them and now they fit pretty well. If I were to go TTS in Marlows they would be way to big; couldn't keep my foot in the shoe when walking. Your picture sure makes it look convincing Mediahound, but in the end one actually has to put one's foot in the shoe and feel comfortable wearing it. In this case wearing, not seeing, is believing. Great illustration though my friend...

So you're saying marlow = trubalance (which = barrie by most accounts). I (perhaps boldly) believe this is because the sizing of the Marlows is UK. This would not explain mediahound's size difference but it would explain the size difference in my pictures. In mediahound's example, his 8.5 Marlow (if UK sized), would be a US 9/9.5. However, in his picture, the US 8 LWB is longer than the 8.5 Marlow. If my theory on UK sizing was correct, it would be the other way: an 8 Marlow would be similar to an 8.5 LWB and would therefore be longer than his lwb, not shorter. Now the controversy: notice the sole measurements of my Daltons and Marlows. Marlow in 7.5 is the same sole length of the Daltons in 8.5. Also notice the 8 Indy boots are 3/8" longer than the 7.5 Marlow. If we agree that sizes change 1/8" for every half size (someone please correct if this is wrong), the 7.5 Indy would still be 1/4" longer than the Marlow. UK vs US sizing would explain that 1/4" difference. Or am I crazy? Now, those Marlows are from last spring's private sale. This would show the UK sizing theory holds some water. Perhaps something changed since then. In the end, the "everyone's feet are different, go try them on" is the correct way to go. I appreciate that people are not near a RL store and are handling this online. Forums like this exist for people who are seeking that help so I am trying to contribute. When I get my barrie lasted shoes back from the cobbler I will update. I also have a pair of barrie swb coming from LS and another lwb coming from Leffot so I can do comparisons with shoes that have not been worn yet. Anyone else care to measure their shoes??? I cannot believe I have come to the point of measuring shoes for an internet forum.....